Bill · S. 1304· Senate(119-S-1304)
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act
- Introduced
- 4/3/2025
- Last activity
- 4/3/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act," allows the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall. It establishes a process for transferring administrative jurisdiction of land or structures from other federal agencies to the Smithsonian Institution. The legislation requires the Board of Trustees to ensure museum exhibits and programs represent the diverse cultures, histories, and values of Hispanic or Latino communities. It further mandates that the Board seek guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources to reflect various political viewpoints and authentic experiences. Additionally, the Secretary of the Smithsonian must submit regular reports to several congressional committees regarding compliance with these requirements.
Yes
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically funds and authorizes a national museum to represent Hispanic and Latino culture and history.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+5
The bill enhances the representation of Hispanic and Latino cultures and histories through the establishment of a national museum.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill mandates regular reporting to congressional committees to ensure compliance with cultural representation requirements.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Museum Location: The bill allows the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino to be located within the Reserve of the National Mall (Section 2(a)). This provides a specific authorized site for the museum.
-
Cultural Representation: The Board of Trustees is required to ensure that exhibits and programs accurately and comprehensively represent the varied cultures, histories, events, and values of Hispanic or Latino communities (Section 2(c)(i)).
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Diverse Perspectives: The museum must seek and utilize guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable and respected sources to reflect a diversity of political viewpoints and authentic experiences (Section 2(c)(ii)). This includes experts representing a broad spectrum of ideologies, cultures, and lived experiences (Section 2(c)(iii)(I)).
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Accountability through Reporting: The Secretary of the Smithsonian is required to submit reports to various congressional committees every two years regarding actions taken to comply with exhibit and program requirements (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Jurisdictional Transfers: The bill requires the head of a Federal agency to transfer administrative jurisdiction of land or a structure to the Smithsonian Institution once a site is designated (Section 2(b)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Hispanic Americans+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 6/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York